The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo: The Millennium Series, Book 1

Why we think it’s a great listen: How do you one-up a book that’s already a global literary phenomenon? Hire Simon Vance to (flawlessly) interpret the loves, lives, and murders of Sweden’s cold and secret-filled world. A spellbinding amalgam of murder mystery, family saga, love story, and financial intrigue. It's about the disappearance 40 years ago of Harriet Vanger, a young scion of one of the wealthiest families in Sweden.

COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN

I digested this book slowly over a number of weeks; I couldn't put it down, but I didn't want the story to end. This was one of the most interesting,..Show More » original, imaginative works of fiction I have read in years. Before I was finished I had order my own "to keep" copy of the hardback. Yes, the author delved into the dark side of life, but that dark side of the characters was necessary to drive the plot. I would recommend this book to anyone who can keep an open mind, enjoys great character development and appreciates a realistic ending.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Forty years ago, Harriet Vanger disappeared from a family gathering on the island owned and inhabited by the powerful Vanger clan. Her body was never found, yet her uncle is convinced it was murder - and that the killer is a member of his own tightly knit but dysfunctional family. He employs disgraced financial journalist Mikael Blomkvist and the tattooed, truculent computer hacker Lisbeth Salander to investigate.

worthwhile

It is very hard to write a concise review of this book, as there is so much one could say about its strengths and weaknesses. Vast sections were extr..Show More »emely tedious, yet other, longer, sections were riveting and deeply engaging. I agree with an earlier reviewer's opinion that the novel could have done with a bit more editing. Some of the exposition is difficult to get through, and can be confusing at times. I say this as a reader who is not easily bored, and tends to enjoy the sorts of long realist novels most people find boring. Ultimately, once I got into the guts of this novel, I found it hard to put aside. I'd say the first hour or two, and the last couple hours of the audio version were not all that engaging, but I think there are a number of reasons for this, mostly personal. Others may find the Venestrom strain of the novel more interesting than I did.

The novel contains a good deal of fairly graphic sexual violence, and isn't for those who might be sensitive to this sort of thing. It is also very devoted to detail, so you will always know what the characters make themselves for lunch, for example. But I found this aspect of the novel interesting, and I think it enhanced the atmosphere and character development.

A very worthwhile audiobook. The narrator is phenomenal, and I appreciated that he captured the characters' voices and emotions without exaggeration or affectation. His narration increased the tension where appropriate, without being overwrought. Easily among the best audiobook narrators I've ever encountered.

The Girl Who Played with Fire

Lisbeth Salander is a wanted woman. Two Millennium journalists about to expose the truth about sex trafficking in Sweden are murdered, and Salander's prints are on the weapon. Her history of unpredictable and vengeful behaviour makes her an official danger to society - but no-one can find her. Mikael Blomkvist, Millennium magazine's legendary star reporter, does not believe the police. Using all his magazine staff and resources to prove Salander's innocence, Blomkvist also uncovers her terrible past....

Excellent

This was another great listen. I enjoyed it more than the first in the trilogy, but that is purely personal preference. The tone of this one is not ..Show More »quite as dark as the first, and as a result lacks some of the tension, but I thought the overall plot was more interesting. This may be because we learn more about Lisbeth, and she's more present in this novel than in the first.

Again, Larsson is devoted to a lot of minute detail. Easily bored readers may find that parts of this novel seem sort of out of place, especially as there are a number of episodes that aren't related to the overall mystery. I personally enjoyed all of the threads that weave through this novel, because they are so expertly character driven. Sadly, it appears the audio version of the third book in the trilogy will be abridged.

If I have one complaint, it's that the translator makes a few mistakes in his choice of certain English words, with slightly amusing results, e.g. "noisome."

Saul Reichlin is excellent again as the narrator. This is exactly the sort of narration I look for in an audiobook, rather than a dramatization of the work. As I said in my review of the first book, I think he captures the characters' voices perfectly, without affectation or awkwardness.

The Girl Who Played with Fire: The Millennium Series, Book 2

Mikael Blomkvist, crusading journalist and publisher of the magazine Millennium, has decided to publish a story exposing an extensive sex trafficking operation between Eastern Europe and Sweden, implicating well-known and highly placed members of Swedish society, business, and government. On the eve of publication, the two reporters responsible for the story are brutally murdered.

If Only to be Half as Smart or Tough!

I am as bummed as a person can get! I have finished The Girl Who Played with Fire. It is 18 hours long and I could have listened for another 18 easi..Show More »ly. Lizbeth is smart, savvy, tough and cool and I would give my iPhone and all the apps to be like her! She is a computer genius and math wiz and the author, Stieg Larsson, must have been as well, because I envision a wall full of character equations to keep track of everyone and all of the plot twists and turns. If you haven't listened to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, I envy you because you have it to look forward to and I have in my past, but listen to it first or you will be lost by all of the characters. In Played with Fire, the author will keep you absolutely tuned in because it feels like if you miss a name, or location, or computer file title you may miss a major story line. I found myself skipping back to catch details because I didn't want to miss anything. I can't wait till the next book comes out but then I will go into mourning because it is the last from this author. It is a loss.

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest

Salander is plotting her revenge - against the man who tried to kill her, and against the government institutions that very nearly destroyed her life. But it is not going to be a straightforward campaign. After taking a bullet to the head, Salander is under close supervision in Intensive Care, and is set to face trial for three murders and one attempted murder on her eventual release. With the help of journalist Mikael Blomkvist and his researchers at Millennium magazine, Salander must prove her innocence....

A Fabulous Finale

It is rare that a series gets stronger as it goes along, but Hornets' Nest is a terrific finale. When I got to the last part of the book, I sat for f..Show More »ive hours straight so that I could find out what happened. It is a great feminist novel, though many readers might not notice...

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest: The Millennium Series, Book 3

Lisbeth Salander—the heart of Larsson’s two previous novels—lies in critical condition, a bullet wound to her head, in the intensive care unit of a Swedish city hospital. She’s fighting for her life in more ways than one: if and when she recovers, she’ll be taken back to Stockholm to stand trial for three murders. With the help of her friend, journalist Mikael Blomkvist, she will not only have to prove her innocence, but also identify and denounce those in authority.

Perfect.

Sometimes when you're done listening to a book, you just can't stand the silence that follows. This is precisely the case here. I miss Lisbeth. I miss..Show More » Simon's voice. I miss thinking about what Larsson was going to do with the plot.

Simon Vance is the perfect reader for this exciting conclusion to the trilogy. I'm ready to listen to it again so I can pick up more detail. Excellent.

The Girl in the Spider's Web: Millennium Series: Book 4

Mikael Blomkvist is contacted by renowned scientist Professor Balder. Fearing for his life, but more concerned for his son's well-being, Balder wants Millennium to publish his story. More interesting to Blomkvist than Balder's advances in Artificial Intelligence, is his connection with a certain female superhacker. It seems that Lisbeth Salander, like Balder, is a target of ruthless cyber gangsters that will soon bring terror to the streets of Stockholm, the Millennium team....

A Ripping Yarn

While it lacks the extreme darkness of the Larsen books, this has quite good pace and I thought read more like a ripping yarn. I thoroughly enjoyed it..Show More ».

The Girl in the Spider's Web: A Lisbeth Salander Novel - Millennium Series, Book 4

In this adrenaline-charged, up-to-the-moment political thriller, Stieg Larsson's Lisbeth Salander and Mikael Blomkvist are back. The troubled genius hacker and crusading journalist thrilled the world in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire, and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, which have sold more than 80 million copies worldwide.

So thankful we still have Lizbeth!

STORY (thriller) - Yes, the loss of Stieg Larsson is huge, but I so appreciate David Lagercrantz for this effort. Lizbeth is an awesome character and..Show More », thanks to him, she's going to be around a little longer!

Personally, I didn't like this book as much as the first three, but that stems from my own personal taste and, perhaps, stupidity rather than from Lagercrantz's writing. For one, I would have liked a few less characters to keep straight. I'm embarrassed to admit it, but I got confused with who was who several times. Second, although Lizbeth definitely plays a major role in the story, I would have preferred more of her. (Yes, I'm a fan). And, third, while I normally do not enjoy violence, I've come to expect it in this series and actually would have liked more of it in this book.

On the positive side, the plot is thrilling and complex, and it was wonderful to spend time with Lizbeth and Mikael again. Thankfully, their characters have not changed one bit! The addition of an autistic boy character was very interesting, and I loved the deeper insight into Lizbeth's childhood and the dark relationship she has with her sister. The book doesn't end with a bang, but everything is explained and it's a nice ending.

OVERALL - As always, there is some violence and cursing, but no sex scenes this time. Recommended for anyone who loves The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I hope the criticism Lagercrantz is receiving for this sequel doesn't dissuade him from continuing our beloved series...

The Girl Who Takes an Eye for an Eye: Continuing Stieg Larsson's Millennium Series

The girl with the dragon tattoo is not given to forgiveness. Lisbeth Salander has been forged by a brutal childhood and horrific abuse. And repeated attempts on her life. The ink embedded in her skin is a constant reminder of her pledge to fight against the injustice she finds on every side. Confinement to the secure unit of a women's prison is intended as a punishment. Instead, Lisbeth finds herself in relative safety. Flodberga is a failing prison, effectively controlled by the inmates, and for a computer hacker of her exceptional gifts there are no boundaries.

Wish they would stop.

A disappointing addition to the Stieg Larsson memorial series. Wish they would stop or get better writters.

The Girl Who Takes an Eye for an Eye: A Lisbeth Salander Novel, Continuing Stieg Larsson's Millennium Series, Book 5

Lisbeth Salander, the girl with the dragon tattoo, the brilliant hacker, the obstinate outsider, the volatile seeker of justice for herself and others - even she has never been able to uncover the most telling facts of her traumatic childhood, the secrets that might finally fully explain her to herself. Now, when she sees a chance to uncover them once and for all, she enlists the help of Mikael Blomkvist, the editor of the muckraking investigative journal Millennium. And she will let nothing stop her.

Very disappointed

I adored Stieg Larsson's books and I realize that this author has a difficult job of trying to marry his own creativity with someone else's creation. ..Show More »The last book wasn't bad, though not in the same league as Larsson's. This one was just not good at all.

I was surprised by the positive reviews. Lisbeth was barely in it. The 2 main plots were so unrelated and neither particular compelling. I only saw it through to the end because I was holding out hope that the ending would make up for the rest.

Simon Vance is terrific but can't save the bad story.

Fortunately the latest Dept. Q novel came out a week later and, as usual, is wonderful so far.